Trump Appeals Decision Allowing Willis to Remain on Georgia RICO Case

Former President Donald Trump and eight co-defendants appealed a ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the Georgia RICO case regarding the 2020 election.

For Context: In August 2023, Georgia prosecutors charged Trump and 18 others of engaging in a  “criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgia’s presidential election result.” In January 2024, Trump’s legal team alleged in a court filing that Willis engaged in a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade prior to him being hired for the case. This delayed the trial as the judge determined if a conflict of interest existed. Earlier this month, the judge ruled that Willis could stay on the case, but only if Wade resigned. Wade immediately resigned following the ruling.

Key Quote: In the letter sent to the Georgia Court of Appeals, the defense stated, “While the trial court factually found DA Willis’s out-of-court statements were improper and Defendants proved an apparent conflict of interest, the trial court erred as a matter of law by not requiring dismissal and DA Willis’ disqualification. This legal error requires the Court’s immediate review.”

How the Media Covered It: Outlets framed the appeal as an expected move by Trump’s legal team. The Hill (Center bias) indicated that Trump’s is working to stall the case, determining the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee hopes to “delay it beyond the 2024 election.” CNN (Lean Left bias) stated that the appeal “underscores how Willis’s potential disqualification over her relationship with Wade still hangs over the DA’s office.”